The first of the two debates that Lord Bilimoria participated in Parliament yesterday discussed the impact that leaving the European Union would have on the UK’s universities and scientific research. In his speech Lord Bilimoria noted the successes that collaborative European research has produced and detailed the effect that Brexit would have on EU funding of scientific research, both directly and indirectly, while calling on Britain to remain outward looking.
Speaking in the House of Lords on Thursday, Lord Bilimoria addressed a number of issues raised by the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement – the penultimate finance statement ahead of next May’s General Election. Lord Bilimoria criticised the slow pace of deficit reduction and missed economic targets by the coalition – whilst also speaking in favour of tax reform, increased government support for research and development and expressing concern at funding levels for the British Armed Forces.